Filtering tanks for waste disposal systems

ABSTRACT

A filtering tank for waste disposal systems with extension units positioned over it in telescoping relation extending to ground level and having a cover for access to the tank. The filtering tank has removable filter cages filled with particulate filtering material positioned in the fluid flow passage in the filtering tank between the inlet and outlet. Removable insulation extends across the top of the filtering tank in spaced relation above the filtering material.

United States Patent Sheda Feb. 15, 1972 [541 FILTERING TANKS FOR WASTE3,451,553 6/1969 Davis ..2l0/l70 DISPOSAL SYSTEMS 423,767 3/1890 Hough..2l0/282 X 534,498 2/1895 Descamps. .....2l0/335 X [721 lnvemoflRflymonfi Sheda, 317 Alder Street, 3,029,950 4/l962 Frasca ..2l0/282 xBlack River Falls, Wis. 54615 [22] Filed. Aug 12, 1970 PrimaryExaminer-Samih N. Zaharna Assistant Examiner-Frederick F. Calvetti [2]]Appl. No.: 63,048 Attorney.loseph G. Werner, Theodore J. Long, John M.

' Winter and James A. Kemmeter [52] U.S. Cl ..210/170, 210/259, 210/532[51 Int. Cl ..B0ld 23/10 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ..2 10/284,335, 541, 243, 251, A filtering tank for waste disposal systems withextension units 210 170 232 252 259 532 532 61/11, 3 positioned over itin telescoping relation extending to ground level and having a cover foraccess to the tank. The filtering [56] References Cited tank hasremovable filter cages filled with particulate filtering materialpositioned in the fluid flow passage in the filtering UNITED STATESPATENTS tank between the inlet and outlet. Removable insulation extendsacross the top of the filtering tank in spaced relation 1,454,723 5/1923BLlrtlS ..210/259 above the filtering materiaL 3,426,903 2/1969Olecko... ....210/532 X 748,095 12/ 1903 Pfautz ..2l0/284 X 2 Claims, 5Drawing Figures PATENTEBFEBIS I912 3.842.138

SHEET 1 0F 3 I E E l 4 10% 9 15 5 j INVENTOR: RAYMOND F. SHEDA ATTORNEYPATENTEDFEB 1 5 I972 SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTOR RAYMOND F. SHEDA gial iATTORNEY PATENTEDFEB 1 5 I972 SHEET 3 0F 3 EHENIIIIIIiiEi INVENTORRAYMOND F. SHEDA ATTORNEY FILTERING TANKS FOR WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEMSFIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to septicsystems and other waste disposal systems. To illustrate, in the pastseptic tanks have typically been buried below the surface of the groundwith no access thereto except by digging down to the tank. Because ofthe inaccessibility of the tank, its condition and functioning could notbe readily examined and cleaning out of the tank was often overlookedwhereby suspended solids, rather than settling out in the tank, simplypassed through the tank into the dry well or other component of thedisposal system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My invention is basically a filtering systemconstruction which provides easy access to removable filters in thefiltering tank. The filters, of course, separate the suspended solidsrather than merely relying on a settling process. The filtering materialmay be periodically replaced as required.

The filtering tank of the system has one or more extension unitsextending to the ground surface, the top unit having a cover providingeasy access to the filtering tank for replacement of the filters. Theextension unit or units and the filtering tank fit together intelescoping relation so that the filtering tank can be set at anyrequired depth.

My invention makes it considerably easier to maintain a properlyfunctioning waste disposal system and thereby eliminate the pollutionproblems which arise from improperly functioning systems.

Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings showing several preferred embodiments forexemplification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation viewof a filtering tank construction embodying my invention.

F IG. 2 is an isometric view of the filtering tank and filtering systemof the tank shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view ofa filtering cage shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view ofa second form of filtering tank andfiltering system embodying my invention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the filter cage shown in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly tothe drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views, my new filtering tank construction is generally shown atin FIG. I in position relative to the ground surface 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the filtering tank construction comprises arectangular tank 12 providing a fluid flow passage between an inlet I3and an outlet 14. In the arrangement shown in FIG. I, a rectangularextension sleeve 15 is placed over the filtering tank in telescopingrelation and peripherally sealed thereto with any well-known sealingmaterials shown at 16 such as oakum and tar, or the like. A topextension unit 17 is placed over the extension sleeve with that amountof overlap resulting when its outwardly extending peripheral flange I8is resting on the ground surface, or just slightly below the groundsurface if desired. The top unit is peripherally sealed at 19 to themiddle sleeve with known sealing material.

This overlapping or telescoping relation of the units allows thefiltering tank to be set at any desired depth. More extension sleevescould be added, or for shallow emplacement, the middle sleeve can beeliminated and the top unit placed directly over and sealed to thefiltering tank.

The top unit has a hinged cover 20 for gaining access to the filteringtank.

The sidewalls of the filtering tank have retainer flanges 21 attachedthereto for receiving filter cages 22. The filter cages may be in theform of open-topped wire mesh baskets with a hinged wall 22a as shown.The cages are filled with particulate filter material 23 such as choppedspagnum moss which I believe is the best natural filtering material. Thefilled cages are then lowered with a hook (not shown) engaged in handles24 into position between the retainer flanges. The top portions 21a ofthe retainer flanges are flared outwardly to assist in dropping thefilter cages into position.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the filters are positioned in the fluid flowpassage between the inlet and outlet and are spaced from the inlet andoutlet to provide inflow and outflow chambers so as not to obstruct theflow from the inlet or into the outlet.

To protect the system from freezing up during cold weather, a layer ofinsulating material 25 in a carrier basket 26 rests on the top edge ofthe retainer flanges as shown in FIG. I. The insulation material ismaintained in spaced relation from the filtering material so as toprovide anair passage over the filtering material. The basket 26 has ahandle 27 for lowering it into position and for removing it whendesired.

When the filters become clogged with waste material, the insulatorbasket is first raised with a hook (not shown). The filter cages arethen also removed with the hook. The particulate spagnum moss filtermaterial can be easily removed from the filter cages by opening thehinged wall thereof as shown in FIG. 3 and dumping the material.

It should also be understood that, while two filters are shown forexemplification, one or more filters may be employed as needed. Further,the filters may be of the replacement cartridge type wherein theparticulate filter material is permanently encased in enclosed cages.When new filtering material is needed, the filter cartridges are merelyremoved, discarded and replaced with new ones.

A second form of filtering tank 30 and filtering system are shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. The filtering tank 30 has a filter'cage 31 with a solidbottom 32 and four generally rectangular sidewalls 33, 34, 35, and 36.Sidewall 33 has an opening 33a formed therein communicating with ainflow chamber 37 formed in the filter cage by a generally U-shapedinterior wall 38.

Particulate filtering material 39 is placed in the filter cage aroundthe inflow chamber as shown in FIG. 4.

The filter cage may be raised with a'hook (not shown) engaged in handle40 which extends upwardly in the inflow chamber from the bottom of thecage. The particulate filtering material may be easily dumped from thecage by opening the hinged sidewall 35 thereof as shown in FIG. 5. It isalso understood that this filter may be of the cartridge type withpermanently encased particulate material.

In the form of filtering tank shown in FIG. 4, the carrier basket forthe insulating material would rest directly on the filter cage.

The filtering tanks and extension units shown may be made of anysubstantially rigid, impervious material, however fiber glass ispreferred because of its noncorrosive character.

It is understood that the present invention is not confined to theparticular construction and arrangement of parts or materials hereinillustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereofas come within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a waste disposal system having a septic tank and a dry well, theimprovement comprising:

a. a filtering tank having an inlet and an outlet and providing a fluidflow passage between the septic tank and the dry well,

b. at least one extension unit positioned over and encompassing saidfiltering tank in mating relation,

0. an openable top cover on said extension unit,

(I. a removable filter means disposed in the fluid flow passage in saidfiltering tank between said inlet and said outlet, said filter beingspaced from said inlet, and

said extension sleeve in telescoping relation,

means sealing said filtering tank to said extension sleeve and saidextension sleeve to said top extension unit,

e. an openable top cover on said top extension unit,

f. removable filter means disposed in said filtering tank in the fluidflow passage between said inlet and said outlet, said filter means beingspaced from said inlet, and

g. removable heat-insulating means substantially coextensive with andextending across the top of said filtering tank above said filter means.

1. In a waste disposal system having a septic tank and a dry well, theimprovement comprising: a. a filtering tank having an inlet and anoutlet and providing a fluid flow passage between the septic tank andthe dry well, b. at least one extension unit positioned over andencompassing said filtering tank in mating relation, c. an openable topcover on said extension unit, d. a removable filter means disposed inthe fluid flow passage in said filtering tank between said inlet andsaid outlet, said filter being spaced from said inlet, and e. removableheat-insulating means substantially coextensive with and extendingacross the top of said filtering tank above said filter means.
 2. In awaste disposal system having a septic tank and a dry well, theimprovement comprising: a. a filtering tank having an inlet and anoutlet and providing a fluid flow passage between the septic tank andthe dry well, b. an extension sleeve positioned over and encompassingsaid filtering tank in telescoping relation, c. a top extension unitpositioned over and encompassing said extension sleeve in telescopingrelation, means sealing said filtering tank to said extension sleeve andsaid extension sleeve to said top extension unit, e. an openable topcover on said top extension unit, f. removable filter means disposed insaid filtering tank in the fluid flow passage between said inlet andsaid outlet, said filter means being spaced from said inlet, and g.removable heat-insulating means substantially coextensive with andextending across the top of said filtering tank above said filter means.